Freetown, 21st November, 2025 — The Guild of Newspaper Editors – Sierra Leone (GoNE-SL) has in a press statement released today 21st November 2025 strongly condemned a raid carried out by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the offices of The Watch newspaper on Tuesday, November 18.
According to staff at the publication, CID officers stormed the premises claiming they were searching for the Managing Editor of The Gleaner newspaper. Workers explained that The Gleaner does not operate from that office, but the officers reportedly insisted that the secretary of The Watch accompany them to CID headquarters for further questioning.
The Guild described the incident as intimidation and harassment, warning that such actions pose a serious threat to press freedom. “Media houses should not be subjected to police raids for publishing a story,” said Guild Chairman Thomas Dixon. “If the Police want intelligence, they can use the story as a lead. What they did on Tuesday amounts to harassment and intimidation. There are many people online with pictures and videos of Jos Leijdekkers who could be of immense help to them.”
The Guild stressed that journalists cannot and should not be compelled to provide intelligence to law enforcement, noting that newsrooms are not extensions of the police. It called on the Sierra Leone Police to explain the raid, ensure accountability, and refrain from further harassment of media institutions.
The institutions Secretary General Ishmail Saidu Kanu reaffirmed the Guild’s commitment to defending the rights, safety, and independence of journalists and editors across the country.
